2027 Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Course Description

Course Credits: Earn up to 15 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ and AAFP Prescribed Credits.

Course Price: $1,795

Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is a two-day course.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an increasingly valuable diagnostic and procedural tool in office, hospitalist, and emergency settings. Advances in ultrasound technology, portability, and accessibility have expanded opportunities for family physicians and other clinicians to incorporate ultrasound into the evaluation and management of patients at the point of care.

This comprehensive two-day CME course provides an introduction to the principles and clinical applications of POCUS, combining focused instruction with extensive hands-on scanning experience. Participants will learn basic ultrasound physics, anatomy, technology, equipment selection, scanning techniques, and image interpretation while exploring the benefits, limitations, and appropriate applications of POCUS.

Clinical applications include abdominal ultrasound (aortic, biliary, and urinary), OB/GYN and transvaginal ultrasound, cardiac ultrasound, trauma and pulmonary applications, small parts/high-frequency ultrasound, and an introduction to musculoskeletal ultrasound with emphasis on the shoulder and knee. Learners will also explore the use of ultrasound guidance for common procedures, including paracentesis, thoracentesis, central line placement, and joint injections.

Throughout the course, participants will have opportunities to practice core scanning techniques and identify normal anatomy and common pathologic findings. Faculty will provide instruction, live demonstration, and hands-on guidance to help learners develop a systematic approach to obtaining and interpreting ultrasound images and applying POCUS findings in appropriate clinical settings. Coding and billing considerations for office, hospitalist, emergency, musculoskeletal, and procedural ultrasound will also be addressed.

Like learning to use a stethoscope early in medical training, developing ultrasound skills requires an understanding of the equipment, recognition of normal anatomy, and repeated practice. This course provides learners with a practical foundation for beginning or expanding their use of POCUS and identifying opportunities for continued training and skill development.

Hands-on and Demonstrated Procedures

  • Abdominal ultrasound patient scanning, including aortic, biliary, and urinary applications
  • OB/GYN and cardiac ultrasound patient scanning
  • Transvaginal ultrasound applications and small parts/high-frequency ultrasound scanning
  • Emergency medicine POCUS applications, including trauma and pulmonary ultrasound
  • Musculoskeletal ultrasound, with emphasis on the shoulder and knee
  • Ultrasound guidance for common procedures, including paracentesis, thoracentesis, central line placement, and joint injections

By the end of this educational activity, learners should be better able to:

  • Describe the history, physics, applications, and indications for point of care ultrasound (POCUS) in office, hospitalist, emergency, musculoskeletal, and procedural settings.
  • Identify basic ultrasound anatomy.
  • Describe ultrasound technology and equipment needs for POCUS.
  • Explain basic concepts and principles of POCUS.
  • Identify the indications and demonstrate core POCUS techniques through hands-on scanning, including abdominal (aortic, biliary, urinary), OB/GYN, cardiac, trauma, pulmonary, high-frequency (DVT, musculoskeletal, soft tissue, ocular), and procedural guidance applications.
  • Recognize the benefits, limitations, and alternatives of POCUS in office, hospitalist, emergency, musculoskeletal, and procedural settings.
2027 Course Accreditation

The Texas Academy of Family Physicians designates this live activity for a maximum of 15.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending.

Learn more about our accreditation.

7:30 – 8 a.m.

  • Registration and breakfast

Day One

8 – 10 a.m. – 2 CME Credits
Goals, History, Physics of Ultrasound, Issues of Liability, Anatomy

  • Describe the history, physics, applications, and indications for POCUS in office, hospitalist, emergency, musculoskeletal, and procedural settings.
  • Identify basic ultrasound anatomy.
  • Describe ultrasound technology and equipment needs.
  • Explain basic concepts and principles of POCUS.

Abdominal Ultrasound

  • Identify the indications and demonstrate POCUS techniques for abdominal applications, including aortic, biliary, and urinary ultrasound and procedural guidance.

10 – 10:15 a.m. – Break

10:15 a.m. – 12 p.m. – 1.75 CME Credits
Patient Scanning – Abdominal

  • Practice abdominal POCUS scanning techniques, including aortic, biliary, and urinary applications.
  • Recognize the benefits, limitations, and alternatives of abdominal POCUS.

12 – 1 p.m. – Lunch

1 – 3 p.m. – 2 CME Credits
OB/GYN and Cardiac Ultrasound

  • Identify the indications and demonstrate POCUS techniques for OB/GYN applications and procedural guidance.
  • Identify the indications and demonstrate POCUS techniques for cardiac applications and procedural guidance.

3 – 3:15 p.m. – Break

3:15 – 5 p.m. – 1.75 CME Credits
Patient Scanning – OB/GYN and Cardiac Ultrasound

  • Practice POCUS scanning techniques for OB/GYN and cardiac applications.
  • Recognize the benefits, limitations, and alternatives of POCUS for OB/GYN and cardiac applications.

Day Two

8 – 10 a.m. – 2 CME Credits
Transvaginal and Small Parts/High-Frequency Ultrasound

  • Identify the indications and demonstrate techniques for transvaginal and small parts/high-frequency POCUS applications and procedural guidance.

Patient Scanning – Transvaginal and Small Parts/High-Frequency Ultrasound

  • Practice scanning techniques for transvaginal and small parts/high-frequency ultrasound.
  • Recognize the benefits, limitations, and alternatives of transvaginal and small parts/high-frequency POCUS.

10 – 10:15 a.m. – Break

10:15 a.m. – 12 p.m. – 1.75 CME Credits
Applications in the Emergency Department

  • Describe indications for the use of POCUS in the emergency department.
  • Identify and demonstrate POCUS techniques for emergency applications, including trauma and pulmonary ultrasound and procedural guidance.
  • Recognize the benefits, limitations, and alternatives of POCUS in the emergency setting.

12 – 1 p.m. – Lunch

1 – 3 p.m. – 2 CME Credits
Introduction to Musculoskeletal Ultrasound – Shoulder and Knee

  • Identify the indications and demonstrate POCUS techniques for musculoskeletal applications, with emphasis on the shoulder and knee.
  • Identify basic anatomical structures relevant to musculoskeletal ultrasound and procedural guidance.

Ultrasound-Guided Procedures – Paracentesis, Thoracentesis, Central Line Placement, and Joint Injections

  • Identify the indications and demonstrate ultrasound-guided techniques for paracentesis, thoracentesis, central line placement, and joint injections.
  • Apply basic principles of ultrasound guidance to common procedural applications.

3 – 3:15 p.m. – Break

3:15 – 5 p.m. – 1.75 CME Credits
Common Pathology

  • Recognize common pathologic findings encountered during POCUS examinations.

Coding and Billing

  • Apply appropriate coding and billing principles for POCUS performed in office, hospitalist, emergency, musculoskeletal, and procedural settings.

Questions and Answers

  • Review POCUS applications and clarify remaining clinical, procedural, coding, and implementation questions.

TOTAL CME CREDITS: 15.00

There are currently no dates available for this course